What became of the Staddon-Fiat?

Lt. Dick Staddon was a director of Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, an agricultural engineering firm that built tractors and lawn mowers. He was also a keen motoring enthusiast, and competed in sprints and hill climbs in a Bugatti Type 37. Just after the war, he sold the Bugatti to fund the construction of his own ideal sports car. He believed a lightweight, simple roadster built around cheap component parts would be just the thing for the impecunious post-war enthusiast who wanted a car that could be used on the road and in competition.

Staddon chose a Fiat 1100 engine, and the car was built up around a purpose-designed chassis by Kingston tuning company V W Derrington. Once completed in 1949, the car was said to reach 90mph, two-up and fully laden – no mean feat for the time. As originally built, it had skimpy cycle wings, but these were soon replaced by all-enveloping items that brought the looks a bit more up to date. Supposedly, Harry Lester was responsible for the modified bodywork. Obviously Dick Staddon wasn't happy with his 'ideal sports car', as it was up for sale in 1950.

So, what makes this different from all the other home-made post-war sports cars? Well, somebody – either Derrington or Lester – was impressed enough to try and put the car into production. At least two others were built, plus a third completed chassis, but the project came to nothing. The whole lot somehow survived, and was owned by eccentric collector Mike Wilsdon in the 1980s. His collection was later broken up, and the Staddon-Fiats disappeared once more into the ether. Does anybody know what happened to the cars, or remember seeing one around when they were new?

(Text Scott Barrett, photo courtesy The Automobile)

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